Ann Godwin
Ann Godwin is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist renowned for courageous, high-impact, public interest reporting.
She emerged First Prize Winner of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Female Reporters Leadership Programme in 2022. She was Runner-up (Print Category) at the 2024 WSAR Awards and, in 2025, led her team to clinch third position in the print category of the same awards.
As South-South Ag Bureau Chief of The Guardian, Godwin has spearheaded groundbreaking investigations exposing corruption, environmental degradation, and systemic failures affecting vulnerable communities in the Niger Delta. Her reporting has triggered government interventions, supported women and farmers in pursuing litigation, and contributed to landmark judicial outcomes. She has also reported for other foreign media organisations, including The Trumpet and The Continent Magazines.
Her work has earned her several prestigious honours, including the Nigeria Media Merit Award (Female Reporter of the Year, 2024), the Distinguished Merit & Outstanding Modern Achievers Award (Media Personality of the Year), and recognition from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others. Her investigative reports have been cited in postgraduate research in Germany and Scotland.
She is the Founder of Step-Up for Women in Journalism Initiative (SWIJ), an organisation dedicated to promoting excellence among female journalists through media training, coaching, mentoring, professional networking, and career development opportunities. Under her leadership, SWIJ has trained and mentored over 200 students from University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University.
Godwin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Imo State University and a Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies from Rivers State University.
She is a Fellow of the WSCIJ Report Women Programme, the South African Data Hub Community (Orodata Science), and the Dataphyte Climate Lab, and an alumna of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Godwin is also a UNODC-invited expert on trafficking in persons and a committed mentor dedicated to shaping the next generation of newsroom leaders.
An accomplished author and scholar, she has contributed to national journals, and her book is titled ‘Redefining Journalism Career”. She has participated in over 20 professional conferences and has secured more than 15 national and international grants.